Rockets win in overtime 126-121
3-pointers from Rockets game 3 versus Warriors
The Houston Rockets squared off against the Golden State Warriors in a must-win game three of the Western Conference semifinals. Houston started strong at the outset, leading by double digits throughout most of the contest. Golden State would narrow the gap late in the game, forcing an overtime stretch that the Rockets would eventually win. Despite the victory, Houston still trails the Warriors two games to one.
Flash Gordon
The Rockets were disinterested in going down 0-3 to the Warriors and Eric Gordon was chief among them in the first half. The sharpshooting guard erupted for 20 first half points to carry the Rockets in the first half en route to a 30 point overall effort.
Owning the glass
The stat bane of the Rockets through the first two games became a deciding factor in their win Saturday night. After being owned on the glass in the games one and two, Houston dominated the boards 55-35. Of those, 17 we're offensive rebounds compared to the Warriors' 7. Those second chance points were critical to the Rockets first win of the series.
PJ
James Harden scored the points, Chris Paul got the assists, and Capela got the rebounds. Most important of all was Pj Tucker's play on the defensive end. Tucker managed to chip in 7 points but it was his late game steals and overall lockdown defense that quietly tilted the game in favor of the Rockets.
Rockets player of the game
James Harden: 41 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists
Warriors player of the game
Kevin Durant: 46 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists
Next up
The Rockets look to even the series on Monday at home at 8:30 pm, central.